POP Anbu Itachi (Chase) (Naruto Shippuden)

Itachi is undoubtedly one of the most powerful shinobi to have ever existed. The only one who ever managed to defeat him was his own brother after the latter had risen to become one of the most dangerous Nukenin (ninja deserters) in the world. Because of his natural and even hereditary prowess, Itachi was originally presented as the most illustrious representative of the Uchiha. Only Madara Uchiha, before him, had enjoyed such a talent.

Itachi did not hesitate to showcase this talent, precisely in order to become one of the most illustrious representatives of his clan of which he was the pride. He became a Genin at a very young age and reached the rank of Jônin before he was even 16 years old, confirming him as one of the most gifted ninjas of all the villages. Because of his level, he soon joined the Anbu, the elite ninja corps of Konoha. This special corps, which was entrusted with the most sensitive missions of assassination and security of the village, was where everything was decided in Konoha. The Uchiha clan, unhappy with their place in the village, were plotting a coup and sought to use Itachi to achieve their ends.

Itachi, under the orders of Danzo in the Anbu, was in charge of bringing all the information of his elite section to the Uchiha in order to facilitate the coup of the Uchihas. The knowledge about the Anbu unit was indeed crucial in the sense that it constituted the occult defense of the village. In many ways, they could be considered counter-spies, which incidentally also made them spies in charge of monitoring the whole village.

So, in the end, Itachi's allegiance was to Danzô and, informing him of the risk of a coup d'etat, he sent his clan for security reasons. Faithful to his village even if it meant betraying his clan, Itachi let his brother live before leaving the village. He had to become a deserter in order to cover the tracks of the Anbu who was actually behind the massacre of the Uchihas.

The figure of Anbu Itachi represents him in his uniform from the time he served in the Anbu's service. Thus, the Funko POP figure of Anbu Itachi, apparently on a mission, carries a Tantô in one hand and a kunai in the other, having probably used these two weapons in an assassination mission.

It is difficult to recognize Itachi in that the POP figure of Anbu Itachi, in accordance with the provisions of this special unit, does not reveal his face. The members of Anbu, in fact, all wear a mask to hide their identity and the Anbu Itachi POP figure is no exception. This one, indeed, is wearing the white mask with the cat face that Itachi used to wear during his missions to defend the village. A white mask which hides as much his identity as his emotions.

Note that the same version (not Chase) of the Funko POP figure of Anbu Itachi exists, but without the mask on Itachi's face.